Julie Chrisley is finally breaking her silence after being released from prison alongside her husband, Todd Chrisley. The couple, known for their reality TV show "Chrisley Knows Best," recently shared the emotional moment they learned of their presidential pardon on the Fox News show "My View with Lara Trump."
In a heartfelt conversation, Julie recounted the moment she found out about the pardon. "I called my daughter one more time and she said, 'He did it! He signed it!' And I just started busting out crying," Julie said. "Then I just hung up. I was so nervous I just hung up. It was the craziest thing because unfortunately, most of the news that you get in prison is bad news. So they're like, 'Are you OK?' And I'm like, 'I am! I think I'm getting out of here!'
Todd Chrisley added his own experience, sharing how a correctional officer informed him of the pardon. "So I went into my dorm and one of the CO's came in and he goes, 'You good?' And I said, 'As good as I can be!' And he said, 'Todd you just got pardoned. They sent me down here to see if you were OK.' And I said, 'Well hell if I'm pardoned they don't have to be worried about me, I'm great!'
The Chrisleys’ pardon came in May 2025, granted by former President Donald Trump, who himself is no stranger to reality television. The pardon wiped away their convictions on 12 counts, including tax evasion, bank and wire fraud, and conspiracy. Todd had been sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie faced a seven-year sentence. Both began serving their time in January 2023—Todd at the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida, and Julie at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
Their convictions stemmed from a 2022 trial where they were found guilty of defrauding community banks out of more than $30 million through fraudulent loans. Prosecutors described the scheme as driven by greed, with the couple hiding assets and wealth from tax authorities. Following their convictions, their assets were frozen, and the couple’s once lavish lifestyle came to an abrupt halt.
For years, Todd and Julie Chrisley were household names thanks to their reality TV show "Chrisley Knows Best," which aired on the USA Network. The series showcased their affluent life in Atlanta and Nashville, drawing more than two million viewers by its eighth season. Spinoffs like "Growing Up Chrisley" and "According to Chrisley" further cemented their place in pop culture. However, the criminal convictions cast a long shadow over their public personas.
Following their release, the Chrisleys have begun to reemerge in the public eye. Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of Donald Trump and host of "My View with Lara Trump," traveled to Nashville on June 23, 2025, to film an episode featuring the couple. This will mark their first television interview since leaving prison. Lara Trump also shared the first photos of Julie Chrisley since before the prison term began, showing the reality star weeks after her release. The images also featured their children, Savannah and Grayson Chrisley.
Savannah Chrisley, who has been vocal about her parents’ legal battles, appeared on Lara Trump’s show roughly two weeks before the pardon was announced. The upcoming episode promises to delve into the details of the pardon and the Chrisleys’ plans moving forward.
Todd Chrisley made a public appearance shortly after his release, holding a press conference in Nashville on May 31, 2025, just two days after he was freed. Julie was released from custody an hour later at Lexington, Kentucky. The couple’s journey from prison back to the spotlight is a remarkable turnaround, underscored by their high-profile pardon.
Donald Trump’s decision to pardon the Chrisleys has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about presidential clemency, especially given the couple’s celebrity status and the nature of their crimes. The pardon came on May 28, 2025, and the couple was released the next day, ending their incarceration that lasted over two years.
The story of Todd and Julie Chrisley is a vivid example of the highs and lows of fame, as well as the complexities of the justice system intersecting with celebrity culture. Their forthcoming interview on "My View with Lara Trump," airing at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 28, 2025, on Fox News Channel, is expected to offer more insight into their experience and future ambitions.
As the Chrisleys navigate life after prison, their fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how they rebuild their lives and careers. The couple’s saga, from reality TV stardom to conviction and pardon, remains a compelling narrative about redemption, public perception, and the power of presidential clemency.
